Interim obturation of palatal perforations to facilitate routine dental care

Routine preventive or restorative dental procedures (or both) may be compromised, deferred, or even denied to patients with exceptional problems that complicate treatment. Perforations of the hard palate require temporary obturation while the patient receives routine dental care such as prophylaxis, periodontic treatment, restorative dentistry, and repair or modification of an existing prosthesis. Temporary obturation, using an adhesive peristomal covering has been a helpful adjunct to prevent the dehydrating of a patient's nasal tissues, to facilitate the patient's speech and deglutition, and to maintain the patient's psychological well-being while the prosthesis is out of the mouth. An effective, comfortable, and economical method of interim obturation has been described.